Brian Goodwin 10k - Early in the evenin' just about supper time

Friday evening was the Bellahouston Harriers’ Brian Goodwin Memorial Race and I headed along to Cartha Queens Park Rugby Club in plenty of time to get ready and warm up, oh and of course to chat with my running buddies.  There was a decent turnout of 167 runners, made up, primarily, of club runners and Glasgow parkrun regulars.  Birthday boy, John Gilhooly was stepping up from 5k for his first 10k, Clare MacAulay was doing her second one, after her recent outing at the Dick Wedlock, whilst I was running my 63^rd. 

I donned my Kilmarnock Harriers Club Vest for the second time in three days and took my place among the runners assembled on Currie Place.  At 7:28pm, Iain Burke sent us on our way south, towards Dumbreck Stables.

There was a touch of déjà vu, as I watched David Boyle and Keith Gibb dart away with the leading pack.  I adopted, what I hoped would be, a more sensible approach and completed the first kilometre in 4:09.  Past experience tells me that my Garmin always loses its satellite reception along this part of Pollok Park, so I couldn’t rely on my watch for accurate splits tonight.  I was happy enough running along with Erica Christie, who tends to run at a steady pace, no doubt the result of running all those marathons.  However my pace dropped after the first mile, when we reached Pollok House and turned left, up the slight hill.  I was feeling tired after Wednesday’s run and the negative thoughts were kicking in telling me to drop out at the end of the first lap.  However although a few people had overtaken me, I knew that there were some decent runners, including Clare and Jim McMillan, behind me somewhere.  The support from the marshals and supporters helped me bin the negative thoughts and, instead of packing it in, I grabbed a little water, wet my lips and as usual poured the rest over me. 

Having banished the blues I was now intent in having a good second lap.  I knew that David Boyle was a good distance and a dozen places ahead of me and, once again, set out with the aim of reducing the gap as much as possible.  As we reached the ‘white house’ I caught two runners and overtook them on the bend.  I managed to make up another couple of places as I ran through the park, towards Pollokshaws Road.  I thought I was doing well but I could hear footsteps behind me, I then saw someone out of the corner of my left eye and heard someone talking to me.  I didn’t say anything in return but responded by stepping up the pace and leaving them behind.  My plan was to overtake people not to be overtaken! 

Taxi for Goudie !    pic by William McAllister

I ran much of the rest of the race on the road, thus avoiding the undulating pavements and threat from overhanging branches.  On Dumbreck Road, I could see David way in front and looking strong.  I had to battle hard to overtake Kilbarchan’s Elaine Muirhead and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to keep up the pace to the Finish line, which was still a kilometre away.  I managed to catch another three runners on Dumbreck Road but much to my exasperation, there was nothing that I could do to stop one of them returning the favour.  I lapped Tommy fae Greenock, as I turned left back onto Currie Place before another left took me over the Finish line, in 67^th place, with a time of 43:34.

I collected my composure as I turned to see Elaine Muirhead cross the line next, in a time of 43:44, followed by Ewan McDonald – aha that’s who tried to talk to me- in 43:51, the two guys that I had caught near the end (Chris Shields and Iain Todd) and then Clare with a time of 44:04, Tony McGale in 44:11.  Not much further down the field were the Kilbarchan pairing of Jim McMillan and Catherine Stewart, who both finished in 44:34 and Bellahouston Road Runners Louise Gray and Susanne Farrell in 44:50 and 44:51 respectively.  

Wallace Gray was also one second behind his PB setting wife.  Tom Keenan maintained his continual improvement, finishing in an SB of 45:36, one place behind of his fellow Bellahouston Harrier William McAllister, who finished with a time of 45:29.

I collected my goody bag, which included a £6 runner’s belt, before doing my warm down and heading in for a shower.  A free barbecued burger was washed down with a pint of Guinness during the post race chat with old and new friends.

Post Race Banter with Dumbarton's Charlene Kelly and Lynsey McNicol

As usual there was a mixture of those that had run well and were happy and those that were disappointed by their performances.  I was happy with my second lap and with my overall time.

After the prize giving, which included the top three guys: Robert Gilroy; Jamie Reid and John MacNamara, all of Ronhill Cambuslang and the three top gals: Jacqui Thomson; Laura Murray and Suzanne McMahon as well as a plethora of other runners, I headed along to Samuel Dow’s for a few more beers and to listen to the music provided by Creedence Clearwater Revival  cover band, Willie and the Poor Boys.

Full Results

The Rain Came Pouring Down on the jogscotland 5k

I strained my hamstring muscle, whilst cycling on Monday's daily commute to work. That, with the other aches and pains in my legs, persuaded me to have a few days rest. I missed my weekly swim, I didn’t do any running or gym work and I took the car to work, rather than the bike. As well as resting my legs, I also applied liberal amounts of Tiger Balm to my hamstring, in the hope that it would do some good.

It wasn’t such a hardship not cycling or running on Tuesday as the rain seemed to pour down all day and night. The forecast looked the same for Wednesday but it stayed dry until around 5:30pm, at which time I was convincing myself that I’d be ok to run the jogscotland 5k Challenge at Glasgow Green. However the rain did put me off cycling to the ‘Green’ and instead I took the car, parking it near the Gorbals Leisure Centre before making my way across the Clyde to Registration.

Apart from the sounds blaring from the loudspeakers, it was hard to tell that a race was scheduled for that evening. I headed towards the sound of the Tannoy and a few tents, with runners sheltering in them, came into sight. It was all so different over the last three years when the good weather has brought runners out in their droves, with the Start being held up two years ago with so many people registering on the night. There wasn’t much chance of that happening tonight but the numbers did improve as an assortment of club runners and joggers trickled along to collect their numbers and electronic chips in the Glasgow summer rain. No-one seemed to sure about how to attach their chips to their running shoes and I was no different, worrying about the appropriateness of the flimsy plastic tie-back supplied and wrapping my laces around it for extra security.

I chatted with loads of running buddies before changing into my Kilmarnock Harriers vest and leaving the relative shelter of the massage tent to do my pre-race warm up and stretches in the rain. The number of runners continued to increase as 7pm approached and by the time I made my way towards the Start line 343 other runners had assembled.  More than 300 down on last year, when the two runs had attracted a total of 647 participants.

The Race

Pic by Great Scott Photography

I negotiated my way through the joggers and took my place at the back of the club runners, only for Mark Cooper, who I ran with last year in France as he completed his 50 marathons, to turn to me and ask “How’s it going Ian?” We didn’t have long to reminisce though as the Start sounded and we were set on our way. The introduction of chip timing had resulted in the course being changed this year and we set off eastward, towards the Peoples Palace, at 7:02pm. A thirty degree angle left turn took us diagonally across the park and, briefly, onto the perimeter path. Another left turn and we headed, behind the Start point, towards the Clyde, where we turned right and headed westward. We ran past the Boathouse and turned right just beyond the Weir, rejoining the perimeter path. I was running behind Bella Road Runners Keith Gibb and David Boyle and Bella Harrier Bernie O’Neil, Garmin notified me that we had completed the first kilometre in a time of 3:53. I was a bit worried that I might have set off too quickly and I was also conscious of my hamstring.

As we approached Monteith Road we turned ninety degrees right, behind the People's Palace and then vended left, as we completed our first mile. A bit further on and we headed down hill, turning a sharp left and then another to take us back to the Clyde and heading eastward. This was familiar territory for me as, not only have I ran and cycled along it many a time but it also forms part of the Atkins 3k race route. Tony McGale and then John McLaughlin encouraged me but my pace had slowed to 4:14 for the second kilometre and I had lost touch with Keith, David and Bernie. I could see the faster runners, making their way back, as I headed towards the same turn point as used in the Atkins race. I was disappointed with my pace but after turning I could see that there were still some ‘weel kent’ faces making their way outward. The third kilometre took me a disappointing 4:27. I increased the pace a bit and, after overtaking a couple of runners, I found myself at the front of a pack, well off of those in front. The fourth kilometre had taken me 4:17 but I wasn’t feeling particularly comfortable leading a pack, with no-one to aim at in front.  We retraced our footsteps, past the Boathouse for the second time and then the Weir.  A guy with a yellow running vest overtook me and I was happy to sit in behind him for a wee while. However we were now on a long, uncongested and flat part of the course and I knew that I should be making up ground. I overtook the guy and then with no-one to aim at repeated the number counting technique, which had served me so well in the latter part of the recent Land o’ Burns 10k. By the time I had turned right and was back behind the Peoples Palace I had closed the gap significantly and could now see David Boyle in sight. He was too far away for me to catch but he seemed to be slowing and I set out to reduce the gap between us as much as possible. There were a few runners between us and, as I turned right into the final strait, I managed to catch another runner (Neil McKenzie) as I gave it my all to cross the line in 43rd place with a Chip Time of 20:47 and a Gun Time of 20:50. The fifth and final kilometre had taken me 3:56 but I was still disappointed with my time. The first and last kilometres were fine, it’s just the middle three ones that I need to improve on!

Selected Results
Mark Cooper placed 23rd with a Gun Time of 18:44.  Keith was 31st in 19:53, Bernie 35th and third woman in 20:11 and David 40th in 20:22. Jock Ferguson, who beat me last year, placed 41st with a time of 20:36 and Andrew Fairlie one place and three seconds ahead of me in 42nd place with a time of 20:47.

Post Race
After the usual post race banter and mutual congratulations, I grabbed the opportunity to have those hamstrings massaged before warming down back to the car as the weather grew worse.


Race Results and Round Up
In the race itself Chris Black placed first in 16:47, Russell Whittington was runner-up in 16:49 and Euan Geddes third in 16:52.

Ruth Joss was first woman in a time of 18:16, a delighted Claire McCracken placed second, with a new 'post baby' PB of in 18:23 and, as stated above, Bernie earned third spot with her time of 20:11.

Despite the numbers being down by over 300, the event still succeeded in drawing support from a range of Club Runners, Work's Teams and individuals.  I had some friends who were running their first ever 5k race, at the other end of the scale, I was competing in my 97th 5k!!

Full Results

The Jammys are this year running all eight jogscotland 5k races (and more!) to raise money for Simpson's Special Care Babies (SSCB), the children's charity which is dedicated to the care of premature or sick newborn babies, and the support of their parents.  They are a small charity that supports the Neo Natal Unit based in the "Simpson's" maternity unit (formerly the Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion), part of the New Royal Infirmary Of Edinburgh.  The charity is run by volunteers who either work in the unit, or have had a child (or children) go through it.  You can support their work by donating here

Setting the Pace

Pic by William McAllister

My legs were still a bit tired and sore from Thursday’s Kirkintilloch race, so I had a couple of easy runs over the weekend. I started with my 75th parkrun on Saturday morning, in which I took it nice and slow. I wore my WobblyWilliams TryAthlete vest and started right at the back of the field. I ran round with Bella Harriers: Iain Burke; Mark Paterson and Kristina Greig (who were also having an easy run) for the first lap, before increasing the pace a little for the second half. I placed 135th out of 249 in a time of 26:15. The numbers were down significantly this week as a large number of regulars were running the following day in the Men’s Health 10k.  

Glasgow parkrun results

During post-race coffee and chat in the Burrell Café, I ‘volunteered’ to fill a vacant place in the Bellahouston Harriers team of pacers for the Men’s Health 10k.


Men’s Health 10k

I cycled along to Cartha Queens Park Rugby Club on Sunday morning, where I met the other pacers and supporters before warming up and making our way to Bellahouston Park for the 10am Start. I was one of two 55 minute pacers, the other being Derek Shand, and we set off in the second wave of runners, four minutes after the first wave. We were wearing special bright coloured running vests with our times on the back, so that the other runners could easily identify us.

Pacers one and all

We had been instructed that 55 minutes was to be our ‘gun’ time, rather than ‘chip’ time, and that we were to run a little under the 55mins. I started my Garmin as soon as our Start sounded and before I had crossed the blue electronic mats at the Start line. I had Garmin set to Virtual Partner mode and it displayed how much in front or behind the 5:30min/k pace I was at any point.

Pic by Suzanne McMahon

It was a humid morning, and despite taking it relatively easy, the sweat was pouring out of me as we made our way out of the park, up Bellahouston Drive and along Mosspark Boulevard, lined with cheering supporters, and onto Dumbrek Road.  As we reached our 3k mark, we cheered leader, and fellow Ayrshire man, David Millar making his way back at the 8k mark and then a little later runner-up, Robert Gilroy. The third runner, Thomas MacDonald, was just coming into sight as we turned right at the water station into Pollok Park. We ran round much of the Glasgow parkrun route before returning to Dumbrek Road and heading back to Bellahouston. We entered the park with 1k to go and a lot of runners, wanting to break 55mins, past by us as we made our way towards the Finish. Bryan Burnett, who had ran the race before resuming his commentating duties, gave me a name check as we entered the final strait. We crossed the line in a time of 54:15. This was slightly faster than what I was aiming at but Garmin also suggested that the route was only 9.92k long.

That said, I am always wary of relying in Garmin when running through a wooded park. I congratulated my fellow pacer and chatted with the other runners as we made our way through the congested post race area to hand in our chip timers and collect our goody bags.  After changing into my dry Men's 10k t-shirt, the post race chatting continued with many a running buddy.  A number of runners were completing in their first ever 10k, whilst others were returning to gauge their progress, including fellow Kilmarnock Harrier Ian Logan who succeeded in taking more than 10mins off of his inaugural race 12 months ago.

Some of us later made our way back to the Burrell for something to eat and ,of course, some more post race conversation. I managed to cycle home just before the heavy rain came down.

Volunteers
Huge thanks to all concerned and especially the runners, volunteers and supporters who suceeded in making both events so enjoyable.

Men's Health 10k Results

The official results revealed that my chip time was 54:06.

6.2 (and a bit) Miles on the Kirki Canal

Perhaps not surprising my legs were still sore and tired a few days after the Vale of Leven 10k. I therefore decided on Wednesday evening not to run the Kirkintilloch 10k being held on Thursday 16 June. Instead I enjoyed a very nice bottle of Rioja. However when Thursday came I decided, that as I had paid for it, I might as well at least turn up and run around the course. I hadn’t run this particular race before and, on paper, it seemed to be quite an easy route.

I made my way along the eight miles to Scotland’s, self proclaimed, Canal Capital and, as ever, met up with loads of running buddies prior to the race. I had a decent warm up, in fact maybe too decent as the sweat was already pouring out of me as I joined with 245 other runners in the East Dunbartonshire town’s leafy Northbank Avenue. After the pre-race announcements by the, ever efficient, Robert Rogerson, in which he described the after race refreshments and special 30 year anniversary club memento so well that we all wanted to get to the race HQ as soon as possible, we were set on our way at 7:30pm.

Race
The route took us over the slight hill on the Northbank Avenue, before turning left onto Alexandra Street and along to Townhead. The police then directed us around a sharp right turn, where a sloped path took us onto the Forth and Clyde Canal towpath. At this stage the race was still quite congested, I was just behind local runner Annmarie McCafferty, with Clydesdale’s Marina McCallum on my shoulder. The first kilometre took us 4:00. I managed to hold off the challenge from Marina for the second kilometre, which took us 4:12 before she passed me.

The route was pretty flat, if a little narrow and uneven as we continued southwards for the next couple of kilometres. A couple of running buddies, including Katie Mathieson- nee Padgham, Caroline Jones and Roger McEleney caught me as my pace slowed to 4:19 and then 4:25. Although it wasn’t all bad news, as I caught Tony McGale, who had beaten me at Troon. I heard a voice greeting me on my shoulder and then asking if we had completed another kilometre when my Garmin bleeped. I answered positively, between gasps, before seeing Nicola May overtaking me on her way to a Season’s Best performance. The 4th k had taken me 4:25. The fifth kilometre continued the downward spiral taken me 4:30. However I wasn’t disappointed with a 21:45 midpoint time. I grabbed a small cup of water before leaving the towpath and heading uphill, over the bridge, and onto Cadder Road. Marie McChord shouted much needed words of encouragement on the hill as did her husband Tom as he directed me down the A803 Kirkintilloch Road.

Up the Hill........pic by Karen Craig

 The 6th k had taken an unacceptable 4:46 but, spurned on by the marshals’ support, I increased the pace, to 4:19 for the next kilometre and managed to catch a couple of runners. We turned left onto the A807 Torrance Road, over Hungryside Bridge and a couple of sharp left turns took us onto the towpath, under the bridge, and heading northwards. My pace had slipped to 4:30 but I could see Marina a few places in front and set myself the target of getting as close to her by the Finish as possible. The 9th k took me a slightly disappointing 4:24 so I increased the pace a little, managing to catch another two runners before crossing the line in a time of 43:57.

Post Race
According to my Garmin the 10th k had taken 4:18 and then another 0:08, recording the total distance to be 10:02k. As I collected my cup of water and exchanged mutual congratulations with the other runners, I was surprised to see Mark McGoldrick crossing the line, some 11 seconds after me. I had managed to beat him for only the second time and the first in a 10k.

It wasn’t long until the remaining runners crossed the line and we made our way back to Lairdsland Primary School for the prize giving and those promised mementos and refreshments. A £5 Sweatshop Voucher, a special commemorative mug and refreshments for an Entry Fee of £7 is good value in anyone’s books. Of course it was even better value if you were among the large number of prize winners, which, of course, I wasn’t but I could still share in the pleasure of my running buddies who did, including a delighted Chris Upson who earned third place and first veteran and the girls from the Scottish Prison Service, Jill Knowles, Jennifer Telford and Nicola May who, as well as earning individual prizes, also went home with the women’s team prize.

Harder than the Vale?
I was surprised to be told by race winner Paul Sorrie that his time of 31:58 was over one minute slower than his Vale of Leven time, whilst some of those that had run on Sunday had undoubtedly run quicker at Kirkintilloch, it does look like a significant number had slower times. I was one of the latter but my time was only slower by 4 seconds and I placed 76th.  I’ve got to be happy with that.


Thanks

All and all a great event well worth doing and amazed that, with no electronic chipping, the organisers still managed to get the full results (and photographs too) posted on their web site before the end of the day. Huge appreciation to all associated with the race.

Results

Photos

Vale of Leven 10 Years On......Where Have All the Runners Gone ?

In 2001, I lined up with another 705 runners to race in the Vale of Leven 10k. I had no idea then that I would be back a decade later with 54 of those runners. The course has changed significantly over the years, as have some of our performances. Many have slowed with the onset of time, others have remained about the same, despite the passing of years, and a few have actually improved.  I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know quite a lot of those 54 runners over the years, I wonder how many of us will be lining up at the Start Line in 2021?  

I know that some of the other 651 runners that lined up with the famous 55 are still racing but where have all the others gone?

Here’s a list of the Famous Fifty Five, in place order from 2001:

Allan Adams
Graeme Croll
Martin O’donnell
Iain Burke
Mark Ashby
Sandy Eaglesham
Alexander Parker
Robert Rogerson
Ritchie Kilpatrick
Erica Christie
John Dryden
Stephen Cullen
Daniel Burns
Colin Marin
Pat Burns
Stuart Wallis
Yvonne Boyle
David Ritchie
Elaine Boyle
James Muir
Billy Ferguson
Norman Boyle
Elizabeth Mclafferty
Alistair Wylie
Harvey Murray
John Quinn
Fiona Currie
Ian Goudie
Joan Muir
Maurice Frize
Geraldine Currie
Christine McGall
Niven Burnett
Paul Sheerin
Helen Lundie
Fiona Conroy
Greig Neilson
Lynsey McNicol
William Drysdale
Mary Connolly
Jim Hall
Fergus Speed
James Darroch
Helen Robertson
Karen Bell
Anna Wylie
James Lynn
James Leino
Joan Murray
Glynn Henderson
Kenneth MacKenzie
Breeda Fraser
Isobel Frize
Marie Carey
David Kennedy


Feel free to let me know of any omissions.

Vale of Leven the fourth and final Polaroid 10k

This was my fifth running of the Vale of Leven 10k and it was at least the fourth different course. When I first ran it in 2000, the route started in Alexandria but more recently it has been moved to Loch Lomond shores, where bad weather has effected the Start line a couple of times. This year the route was changed significantly with a section along the river cycle path being added at the 6k point. However no matter what the route is, I always find it the hardest of the four. In the old days, I used to run them under the Ferranti club name with my good friend Mike Gordon. I’d beat him in the other three but he’d always beat me at the Vale.

I’d had a look back at my previous times which were:

2000 - 45:58
2001 - 48:14
2003 – 46:40
2005 – 46:51  

so I knew that a course PB was on the cards.

Pre Race
I had a quiet night in on Saturday reading up and watching videos of the great Nat Muir and George Braidwood. Both, I discovered, are actually a year younger than me but no longer run competitively. I always find that a bit hard to fathom, although Nat’s ‘later’ years were blighted by injury. I think they both last raced in 1992.

I had a bit of an upset stomach on Sunday morning but, apart from numerous visits to the lavatory, I was feeling mentally and physically up for a good race. I arrived at Loch Lomond Shores in plenty of time for pre race chatting and warm up and, after a couple of more visits to the toilet, I lined up near this year’s Start line.

Race
At 10:03am we were set on our way, over the blue chip mats, and along Balloch Road. A sharp left turn took us into the local park, where the road gradually climbed to about 80m. I looked at my Garmin at the 1k mark, only to discover that it had switched itself to sleep mode at the slightly delayed Start. A quick press of the buttons and I had it functioning again. I was already having to battle with negative thoughts and there was another half mile to climb before the route turned right along a country road. Garmin revealed that this kilometre had taken me 4:55 to complete. However the marshals then directed us down Mollandbowie Road and the next kilometre was all downhill, taken 4:04 to complete. Another right turn and we were back on Balloch Road – called Drymen Road at this point- and heading back towards the park. This time we turned left and along Carrochan Road and over the round-about, this kilometre had taken me 4:17. Further on the route veered to the right and along the A813 - Main Street. I was feeling tired and could only watch as Brian Barr overtook me, my pace dropped to 4:29. Pushed by Maria Dye, I manage to pick it up the pace slightly, taken 4:21 for the next kilometre. However there was nothing I could to stop Iain Burke passing me, just as we reached Bonhill Bridge. We turned right, over the bridge and then were directed along the scenic cycle path next to the River Leven. I knew I was struggling in the sunshine but Iain in front and Marie on my shoulder kept me going, taken 4:25 for the next kilometre. I had totally forgotten about the water station, so it was a pleasant surprise to get the opportunity to cool myself down a little further on. I felt a bit fresher now but it didn’t last long and I eventually let Marie pass me – followed by Tom McMillan, as my pace dropped to 4:31.


When the route left the river and took us back onto Balloch Road, I was really struggling and Garmin revealed that my last kilometre had taken me 4:39. I wasn’t sure how far we had run. I saw a yellow sign ahead but when it came into sight it read 4k and I assumed that I must have run along this route earlier on. I was pleased that the next sign said 9k although I didn’t have much more to give. All of a sudden I heard a loud cry of “C’mon Ian” and looked up to see Annette Whalen screaming support at me. It hard the desired effect and I managed to increase the pace to 4:10 for the last kilometre. I crossed the line shattered and after being relieved of my chip timer and collecting my goody bag, congratulated Iain, Brian and Tom for their performances.

Jammy Me with Jammy  Jo and Jammy Mo.. pic by Sarah Whalen

Post Race
After further post race chatting, I got lost trying to find the car park and was rescued by Jammy Mo and Jammy Jo, before meeting Sarah and Annette Whalen. Once back at the car, I had a warm down and my post race recovery drink before heading back to Glasgow.


Result
I was pleasantly surprised to receive a text advising me that my chip time was 43:46 and my gun time 43:58. Furthermore I had placed 171st, the highest position that I’ve ever finished in any of the Polaroid Races and I had my new Vale of Leven PB by well over two minutes. I went back to bed feeling shattered but remembering why I love to race so much.

Huge thanks to everyone associated with the Polaroid Series and to everyone I had the pleasure of chatting with before and/or after each of the races.

Full Results

54-3-2-1

After fifty four years including about forty years of running, I managed to compete in my first ever two mile race on Thursday night: 'the Bellahouston Harriers 2 mile Time Trial'. Almost perfect running conditions helped to attract a record turnout, with runners from an assortment of West of Scotland clubs joining in with the hosts, at Pollok Country Park.

I had run an abridged version of the course in the Club’s winter handicap race and presumed that the route would be from Cartha Queens Park Rugby Club to Pollok House and then back. I was therefore a wee bit surprised when I heard some runners saying that it was a tough wee course, sure it had a couple of bends in it but tough?! There are a number of races which start and finish at the Rugby Club and they all seem to have different Finish lines, so I made a point off ensuring that I knew where the race would end, which was actually quite far into the Rugby Club’s driveway.

Race
Once the road was clear, we set off at 7:01pm and headed towards Pollok House. I was a bit surprised to see so many runners shooting off so quickly, including Bellahouston Road Runners David Boyle and Keith Gibb. They’re both a bit better than me but I’ve beat them in a few races, including the Jog Scotland 5k, when they both set off too quickly.

With Haggs Golf Course on our right and the allotments on our left we ran, slightly uphill, to Dumbreck Riding School. A sharp left turn took us down a dip and up towards the ‘white house’, where we turned right and, with the woods on our left, headed towards Lochinch Police Club. As usual I found a gap growing between myself and those in front. Garmin revealed that the first kilometre had taken me 3:59. I could hear someone behind me and was overtaken by David Mooney. I was expecting to see the fast runners, led by to Robert Gilroy, running towards me but they never appeared. I discovered why at the mile point, when rather than running around the marshal, Melanie Ronald, she directed me up to my left and into the woods and hills. The first mile had taken me 6:39.

With David pulling away, I climbed over the first hill and wasn’t too surprised to see that the two Bella Road Runners were now in sight. However the second kilometre had taken me 4:14 and Erica Christie had overtaken me. The second hill was even steeper but, just as I was mentally preparing myself for a third hill, I saw a marshal directing Erica along to her left. Relieved I followed her and negotiated the path and narrow opening back to the ‘white house’. Erica was a good bit in front but I chased after her, down the dip, past the Riding School and past the allotments. I was narrowing the gap between us, as she turned right into the driveway and then left towards the Finish line, where I just managed to pip her at the post.


I could hear the timer shouting out “13:06; 13:07; 13:08” as I stopped my Garmin and headed for the recovery area.

Result
The third kilometre had taken me 4:17 but I had increased the pace to 3:36 for the last part of the race to finish in 13:07, a second mile of 6:28 and a surprising negative split by 11 seconds.

As I mentioned earlier this was my first ever two mile race, so I was guaranteed a PB, however it was also my 54th birthday and I didn’t want to sell myself short. I know that Erica has been running great at the Polaroid 10k races, doing Helensburgh and Clydebank in around 41:30, so I was pleased to catch her. It was also good to beat Bella Road Runner Mark McGoldrick for the first time and Harrier Brian Barr who, like Erica and Mark, has beaten me at all three Polaroids this year.

The race was my 30th of the year, my 10th PB and included my 1000th running kilometre of 2011.

Post Race pic by Iain Burke

Post Race
After a warm down and a shower, I retired to the bar for hot soup and home baked cake before progressing to Guiness and heading along to Sammy Dow’s for the weekly Jam Session.

Thanks
Thanks to everyone associated with the race for a smashing event and extra special thanks to everyone for their birthday greetings.

Full Results

Glasgow parkrun #125

I decided to have a weekend off from racing and volunteered to take photos and write the report for Saturday's Glasgow parkrun and do a long run on Sunday instead.

There are loads of different runners
at the Glasgow parkrun:
There’s long ones, short ones, fat ones, thin ones,
See how they wriggle when they run.


There are slow ones, fast ones
Big fat juicy ones, Eensie weensy squeensy ones,
See how they wriggle when they run.


Everybody likes you, nobody hates you
I think I’ll do the Glasgow parkrun!


Over three hundred runners and volunteers converged in Pollok Park on Saturday 4 June for the weekly Glasgow parkrun. After the heat of the previous two days, the conditions were a bit more comfortable for running in. This week’s Race Director Alan Dempster assembled the mass of runners at the usual start point, at the top of the Burrell Car Park, and after the usual pre race announcements, the runners were set off at 9:30.

I say ‘runners’ but I mean that in the broadest possible sense, for not only does the parkrun attract some of the best local club runners but it also draws its support from an assortment of: dog walkers; pram pushers; first time runners (some 27 this week); casual runners and even those in fancy dress. This eclectic mixture of participants doesn’t seem to deter from anyone’s individual goals as the field soon opens up and allows participants to run, or walk, their way around the two lap, undulating course.

Pharmacist Andrea YOKER making her third appearance at the weekly, free, event, said:

“It’s a brilliant event, run in a great atmosphere and around such an interesting course. Unfortunately I have to work every second Saturday but I’ll be back in a fortnight.”

Andrea placed 217th overall and 56th woman. Further up the field, Suzanne MCMAHON (VW40-44) of Bellahouston Harriers won for the eighth time, taken 20:01 to complete the 5k course. However the battle of the day was between Hilary ROBINSON (VW40-44) and Clare MACAULAY, (SW30-34) who competed for second and third place, with ROBINSON just holding off the challenge from MACAULAY as they both crossed the line in a time of 21:02.

In the men’s event Cambuslang’s Iain MACCORQUODALE (SM25-29) breezed to victory for the first time, taken 16:37 to complete the testing course, some 70 seconds ahead of Garscube’s David Ian ROBERTSON (VM45-49). Stuart MACDOUGALL (SM25-29) of Greens Health & Fitness RC placed third in a time of 17:52.


Wava

In the Age Graded competition, Margaret CARGEY recorded a performance of 84.06%

Points

In the points competition John GILHOOLY has a lead of 56 points over second placed Alastair John MACLACHLAN.

Suzanne REID leads Laura RITCHIE by 514 in the ladies competition.

Full Results

My Photos

Some Like it Hot

Some runners like to run in hot conditions, others prefer the temperature to be a bit cooler, I fall into the latter category. Thursday June 2 was the day of the Dumbarton 10k, the third of the Polaroid Series of Road Races. It was also the warmest day of the year.

I had went through my new ritual of drinking 500ml of water two hours before the race but when the sweat was pouring off of me after my ‘warm up’ I knew it didn’t bode well. This was my fifth time running this particular race but the first time since the introduction of electronic chip timing. The course had been amended to facilitate the technology and now started and finished in the same place, the park next to Dumbarton Academy. I took my position amongst the 880 or so runners and at 7:30pm we were set on our way over the blue mats, out of the park and a sharp left onto Crosslett Road, about a hundred metres on we turned a sharp right and then left onto the cycle path and through East End Park.

I had made a conscious decision to pace myself, in order to conserve energy in the heat, but I was still surprised at how many runners dashed off in the early stage. I was running with Erica Christie and Jim McMillan, my time of 4:08 for the first kilometre was maybe a wee bit fast but not too much.  The route continued along the path, turned left, up Third Ave, and then right and was now parallel to the A82. The second kilometre had taken me 4:17, I was happy enough with that but Jim had dropped off the pace. There had been a slight steady climb for the first two kilometres and although the next kilometre was slightly downhill, I was starting to tire and was struggling psychologically to keep going. The 3rd k took me 4:18. I was pleased when the route left the path and joined the pavement on the A82 at Milton, as I knew that the turning point was in sight. The 4th k had taken me 4:25 and a number of runners including Erica, Mark McGoldrick and Maria Dye – with her music blaring- had overtaken me. The marshals and supporters at the turning point gave me shouts of encouragement as I turned a sharp right and back onto the cycle track. Although the support and the turn had given me a lift, the 5th k had taken me 4:30. However I was still on course as my 5k time was 21:36 and I usually have a negative split.

The water station was a welcome sight, not so much for the little water which I needed to wet my mouth but for the rest of the bottle which I poured over myself and refreshed me so much.

There was a slight steady climb for the next two kilometres and although my pace improved slightly to 4:26 after being refreshed, it soon dropped to 4:38 for the 7th k. Despite that and the tiredness, I was feeling slightly upbeat as I overtook Westerland’s Peter Grassl, who had beaten me at the West District Cross Country Championships at Irvine earlier this year and had, more recently, run a sub 20min 5k at the Glasgow parkrun.

The course left the A82 here and we turned left, back onto Third Ave, and then right, continuing on the cycle track back towards East End Park but then diverted rightwards, up Smolled Road, and then a sharp right turn took us onto Crosslett Road but running away from the Academy. I was expecting Peter to chase after me and presumed that my old sparring partners Norman Boyle and Tom McMillan would also be closing in on me but I didn’t seem to have much more to give and the 8th k took me 4:27. I knew that the route continued on roads until the Finish. We turned left onto Dumbuck Road, left again and a right took us onto Overwood Drive before turning left onto Round Riding Road and the 9k marker. The 9th k had taken me a disappointing 4:34, however I was holding my own and had Maria Dye in my sights. We turned left onto Bonhill Road and I managed to catch her but just as we were about to turn left, back onto Crosslett Road, local runner, Yvonne Boyle, cheered on by the Dumbarton support, overtook me.

I managed to find an extra gear as we approached the Academy and overtook Yvonne before turning left back into the park. I could hear my name being shouted and gave it one last push, managing to overtake three guys, before crossing the Finish Line in a disappointing 43:44. The 10th k had taken me a more respectable 3:59.

I was shattered and after collecting my Goody bag made my way back to the Academy for my recovery drink and to support the other runners completing their races. However I couldn’t deny that I was upset with my performance and, rather than staying for the post race chat and prize giving, I headed back home for a rest.


Results
I was literally just in the door when I received a text on my mobile advising me of my time and placing. I was 223rd out of 876 finishers, in a Gun time of 43:54 and a Chip time of 43:44. (OK the text actually said I had run the Helensburgh 10k but, that aside, it was still great service from the organisers.)

I had a look back at my previous results which revealed the following Gun times:

Year Time
2000 46:15
2001 44:14
2003 46:20
2005 44:31
2011 43:54

I was still disappointed but at least I had the consolation that I had run a Course Best. A further look at the results indicated that I was not the only one to have suffered in the heat, with many fellow runners clocking slower times than usual.

Hind Sight
In hind sight then it was not a terrible disappointing result and as Hal Higdon points out ‘you can only run the race in the conditions at the time’.  Maybe I should have stayed for coffee, after all it was my turn to buy it.

Full Results
 
Some Like it Hot